GE Dryer Not Starting? Here’s What to Do

Is your GE dryer not starting? If so, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we give you step-by-step instructions for what to do so you can get it working again. Most of the time, this can be solved by a simple reset or by making sure the power supply is working. But other times, it might be caused by a faulty component within your dryer that will need to be replaced.

This guide covers all major GE dryer models, including:

CADE165RAL

CADG265RAL

CADG265RBL

CADG265RCL

DBLR333ET0AA

DBLR333ET0WW

DBXR300EG3WS

DHDSR46EG8WW

GHDX100EM0WW

GTDP180ED2WW

GTDP180ED3WW

GTDP200EM0WW

GTDP200EM1WW

GTDP200EM2WW

GTDP220EF0WW

GTDP220EF1WW

GTDP220EF2WW

GTDX200EM0WW

GTDX200EM1WW

GTDX200EM2WW

GTDX205EM1CC

Step 1 – Reset your dryer

The best place to start is to reset your dryer. Sometimes a simple reset can get your dryer working again. To reset your GE dryer all you need to do is to turn your machine off and then turn it back on after about one minute. If this doesn’t allow you to start using your dryer again, you need to check the power supply.

Step 2 – Check the power supply

If your dryer doesn’t turn on at all, then the problem might be with the power supply. Even if your dryer does turn on, something still might be wrong with the power supply if it turns off and on intermittently.

Checking the power supply is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your dryer from its power socket and plug it into a different one. If the dryer turns on when plugged into a different socket, the original socket is faulty and needs to be repaired or replaced.
2. If the dryer still doesn’t work when plugged into a different socket, go to your fuse box and check that the circuit breaker that supplies power to your dryer is turned on. If not, turn it on.
3. If the circuit breaker is on, make sure your dryer has a dedicated circuit breaker as it requires a lot of power to work. If it doesn’t, you need to get an electrician to set this up for you. 
4. If you have a multimeter, you can test the circuit breaker to ensure it’s supplying the correct amount of voltage, or you can get an electrician to do this for you. 
5. If all the power supply tests indicate no problem, the next step is to check the start switch.

Step 3 – Check the start switch

The start switch in your GE dryer is there to inform the main control board that it’s safe to turn the dryer on. If the switch becomes defective, your GE dryer won’t be able to start.

Checking the start switch is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your GE dryer or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Locate the start switch. (Your user manual will tell you where it is if you’re not sure.)
3. Once located, disconnect the start switch and give it a continuity test with a multimeter.
4. If the start switch fails the test, it needs to be replaced. If it passes the test, it’s working correctly so you can reconnect it and then move on to the next step.
5. If you’ve installed a new switch, you’ll have to check if your GE dryer can now start. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.

Step 4 – Check the thermal fuse

The purpose of a thermal fuse is to monitor the temperature in your dryer so that if it gets too hot, it can tell the main control board to turn your dryer off. When the fuse blows or becomes faulty, your dryer might not be able to start.

Checking the thermal fuse is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your GE dryer or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Locate the thermal fuse. (Your user manual will tell you where it is if you’re not sure.)
3. Disconnect the thermal fuse and give it a continuity test with a multimeter.
4. If the thermal fuse fails the test, it needs to be replaced. If it passes the test, it’s working correctly so you can reconnect it and then move on to the next step.
5. If you’ve installed a new thermal fuse, you’ll have to check if your GE dryer can now start. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.

Step 5 – Check the door switch

The door switch in your GE dryer is there to tell the control board when it detects the door is closed so it can safely start the drying cycle. If the door switch is defective, your GE dryer won’t start.

Checking the door switch is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your GE dryer or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Locate the door switch. (Your user manual will tell you where it is if you’re not sure.)
3. Disconnect the door switch and give it a continuity test with a multimeter.
4. If the door switch fails the test, it needs to be replaced. If it passes the test, it’s working correctly so you can reconnect it and then move on to the next step.
5. If you’ve installed a new door switch, you’ll have to check if your GE dryer can now start. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.

Step 6 – Check the timer

The timer in your GE dryer helps to control the dryer cycle so the main control board knows when to turn your dryer on and off. If the timer doesn’t work correctly your dryer might not start.

Checking the timer is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your GE dryer or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Locate the timer. (Your user manual will tell you where it is if you’re not sure.)
3. Timer testing varies by model, reference the wiring diagram to determine where to test for voltage as needed.
4. If the timer fails the test, it needs to be replaced. If it passes the test, it’s working correctly so you can reconnect it and then move on to the next step.
5. If you’ve installed a new timer, you’ll have to check if your GE dryer can now start. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.

Step 7 – Test the drive motor

The drive motor in your GE dryer is connected to the drum by a belt and makes the drum spin during a cycle. When the drive motor stops working partially or completely, your dryer won’t be able to start.

Checking the drive motor is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your GE dryer or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Locate the drive motor. (Your user manual will tell you where it is if you’re not sure.)
3. To test a motor, you need to check with voltage, we only recommend a trained technician to attempt this.
4. If the drive motor fails the test, it needs to be replaced. If it passes the test, it’s working correctly so you can reconnect it and then move on to the next step.
5. If you’ve installed a new drive motor, you’ll have to check if your GE dryer can now start. If it doesn’t, move on to the next step.

Step 8 – Check the drive belt

The drive belt in your GE dryer connects the drive motor to the drum allowing the drum to spin during a cycle. Sometimes the belt can snap or move out of position, which can cause your dryer to not start.

Checking the drive belt is straightforward. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your GE dryer or turn the circuit breaker off.
2. Remove the top and side panels of your dryer so you can access the drive belt.
3. Once located, inspect the drive belt for any damage or check if it’s come out of position. Also, make sure it’s properly connected to the pulleys.
4. If you find damage, the belt will have to be replaced. If the belt has popped out of position, reposition it. If the belt is fine, move on to the final step.
5. If you need to replace the drive belt, you’ll have to order a replacement belt, remove the old one, and then carefully install the new one. 
6. If you’ve replaced the drive belt or if it wasn’t damaged, check if your GE dryer can now start. If it still doesn’t start, move on to the final step.

Step 9 – Replace the main control board

The last step if you still haven’t found the cause of your GE dryer not starting is to replace the main control board. You can do this yourself or you can get a qualified technician to do it for you. Replacing the control board is expensive and won’t guarantee your dryer will be fixed. With this in mind, you’ll need to consider whether it’s worth doing or whether it’s better to purchase a brand-new dryer.